Government finalises MP code of conduct

Luxembourg ministers over the weekend finalised work on a new code of conduct for MPs, adding regulations for politicians who embark on a career in the private sector, such as former Finance Minister Luc Frieden who recently announced his move to Deutsche Bank.

(CS/BB) Luxembourg ministers over the weekend finalised work on a new code of conduct for MPs, adding regulations for politicians who embark on a career in the private sector, such as former Finance Minister Luc Frieden who recently announced his move to Deutsche Bank.

The new code of conduct foresees that former ministers will not be allowed to use information gained through their mandate over the course of two years once they start a career outside of politics, Justice Minister Félix Braz explained.

Should a competing private sector company feel disadvantaged because of the appointment of a former minister, and should they be able to produce evidence that insider contacts and knowledge were abused, they can take the matter to court.

It is not foreseen that the government or an ethics committee need to sanction the transition from political life to the private sector. “According to the constitution we cannot and we don't want to forbid a former minister to work,” Premier Xavier Bettel added.

The new ethics code is expected to be on the agenda of MPs on Friday to make the cut before the summer break. However, it will not have any effect on Frieden's departure from Luxembourg politics to a position with Deutsche Bank in London.

The move had raised some concern with government parties LSAP, DP and déi Gréng, as well as déi Lénk, over a conflict of interest and possible insider information gained by Frieden during his time as Luxembourg's Finance Minister.

Frieden meanwhile said that he was not in contact with Deutsche Bank during his mandate, explaining that he had informed the Prime Minister of his decision ahead of time.

Braz, however, over the weekend said that the new code of conduct would have made Frieden's departure more difficult and that it would have come with “additional responsibilities.”

Other issues covered by the code of conduct include lobbying, income declaration, and strict regulations on accepting gifts or other monetary compensation by private companies or individuals, for example for travel.